Genetics and adoption: Forming a partnership

Abstract

Genetic issues are demanding more attention in the area of public health. Adoption agencies and policymakers are beginning to address these issues where they relate to the adoption process and to the many families involved in adoption in this country. Genetic counselors need to play an active role as both educators of and consultants for adoption professionals and the families with whom they work. To facilitate a partnership between genetics and adoption we have developed a workshop intended to educate adoption professionals about the lifelong implications of genetic conditions on the adoption triad.

Attitudes to and experiences of genetic information and testing among professionals working in the context of adoption

“…There is a clear need for training and increased liaison between other departments or agencies, such as the local authority, with local genetics services. In 1992, a series of papers published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling proposed introducing training workshops for social workers (Burns and Reiser, 1992; Delp and Kaepernick, 1992; Rauch and Plumridge, 1992). Although this research was in the context of the 1990s US adoption system and has only limited parallels with current practice in Wales, the fundamental principles of their genetic training could help guide new training programmes.…”

The genetic self: The Human Genome Project, genetic counseling and family therapy.

“…Often there is a need for genetic evaluation of congenital anomalies or maternal exposures to potentially damaging substances before placements can be finalized. There have been a number of attempts to foster partnerships between genetics professionals and adoption workers (Rauch & Plumridge, 1992; Burners & Reiser, 1992; Delp & Kaepernick, 1992).…”